Monday, July 26, 2010

Sure, we did songwriting. Sure we did some workshops and programming...

But more than that, we made fantastic connections with so many people over the weekend.

Not only were the campers so amazing and smart and thoughtful (shout out to G6 girls and to the 7/8th grade girls, the 9th grade girls, Machon girls, well, BASICALLY all of the teen girls!), but the staff rocked it, and the camp committee was there as well, so I got to meet all of the people who really overtly show their love for this camp all year round!!

So a couple of things...

1. I HAVE to share the cutest lyrics from the "Frog song" the kids wrote (see all the way below)

2. I really want to share this video - talk about RUACH for YISRAEL - look at the ENTIRE camp singing and dancing to Tutim by Ethnix!! Check this out!

Sorry for the delay of game. It's been a fantastic non-stop leg of the tour.

Highlights:

Camp Pembroke - all-girls Jewish Camp in Pembroke Massachusetts. This is one of two (or maybe three) trans-denominational Jewish camps for girls!

Aside from the amazing amazing creativity of the Eilat and Dimona girls (3rd/4th grade) - examples below, I had some incredible time with the older girls. We talked about music lyrics and the images they portray around gender - both positive and negative. I'm so pleased to hear the resilient attitudes and comments from the 9th grade girls!

Here's what could be the new Camp Pembroke song!!!

Cheers to Ellen Felcher, Sue, and the amazing rest of the staff there doing incredible work!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

I must say, Kingswood is probably our shortest stay of all the camps we're visiting this summer, but I can't tell you HOW MOVED I was by the words and spirit of the campers we worked with today.

It was the 9th of Av - and in my talk with a group of older campers about "senseless hatred" they created a song with magnificently powerful lyrics about discrimination, and "paving your own road" - not blindly following the leader.

Here are some examples:

Verse 1:

"I'm here on the floor in an empty room

There's nowhere to look and nothing to do

Discrimination hurts; discrimination stings"

Verse 2:

"Stay away from people

who lead you astray

Stop acting like a puppet

and throw the strings away"

And in addition to working with these talented, deep, amazing campers, Glenn ran a jam session (i got to play keys, a novelty for me!), I taught storytelling to an amazing group of new storytellers and last but not least...

I shared some music w/8, 9 and 10th grade girls during an intimate rest hour acoustic concert.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Wow - such ruach. Such talented songwriting. Such a superstar lead staff team:

Crane Lake's new director, Debby Shriber, veteran Asst. Director Brian Mitchell and their incredibly gifted songleader Rebecca Schwartz - well, you know how this camp has made its mark on the Jewish Camp world.

We spent a gorgeous Shabbat together - singing, praying, composing and playing.

Then, the band girls (Hagar on bass, and Bat Or on guitar) joined up with Glenn and me to rock the house down on Havdallah and our full length concert.

here are some highlights.

- fri night beautiful services with an amazing songleading team in the beit am

- songsession rocked it and israeli dance - well, let's just say, i learned and relearned quite a few

- writing sessions with the oldest and youngest campers - both had very important things to say!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Well, I know a post is still pending from Capital Camps - just waiting to get approval for the video clips, but I couldn't wait to post this pic of an adorable little Jewish Chick Rocker writing an original song for Glenn.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Woosh - back from Israel and already had a fantastic residency at Capital Camps. I think Glenn and I worked with almost every age group.

Not only was the staff fantastic - shout out to all the unit heads and counselors who jumped right in with their kids in our sessions - but the creativity all the way from the Benjamin 3-4th grade girls on up to the LITs and CITs was amazing!

Campers created music with a message - everything from needing to "unplug" for the summer, to not standing "idly by" when someone is hurting or in need. And the 6th and 7th Grade boys have made commitments to fight "stereotyping" in their bunks and beyond!

Here are a couple of examples of the amazing work these campers (and staff) did!

Benjamin 3-4th Grade girls are MESHUGA'AT!

LIT/CIT's work on recording their Chorus...and their reaction!

Here are the Reich 6-7th grade Girls working on a dedication to someone who's made an impact in their lives, as part of "The Real Me" acoustic concert/workshop.